Octavian scoops BBC Sound of 2019 award

He joins a stellar list of artists that includes last year's winner Sigrid, plus the likes of Haim, Sam Smith and Jack Garratt.

Date published: 11th Jan 2019

Image: Octavian

Genre traversing South London rapper Octavian has won BBC's prestigious 'Sound Of' poll for 2019. Following the release of his first full length mixtape Spaceman in 2018 the rapper has impressed critics, DJs and artists that made up a 136 strong panel voting for the MC qas the winner of this year's award.

He joins a stellar list of artists that includes last year's winner Sigrid, plus the likes of Haim, Sam Smith and Jack Garratt and is the first rapper to come on top of the longlist since 50 Cent no less back in 2003.

On winning the accolade Octavian told the BBC about how he has beaten homelessness on his impressive rise to current successes: 

"“A year ago I was poor, I had no money, but I was never depressed. I was never in the mode to give up. Around me it was bad, but I kept motivated.”